"Apple" has been the only major handset manufacturer that has not integrated dual-SIM functionality on its smartphones, but this may change soon. A couple of new patent filings suggest that Apple is considering adding the dual-SIM functionality to iPhones.
Apple has been granted a patent for dual-SIM technology by the "United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)." A document filed with China's State Intellectual Property Office also describes an iPhones with dual-SIM card feature. The details mentioned on the patent talk about the system, apparatus and the means of controlling access to different antennas with devices featuring multiple SIMs. The application was submitted by Apple in March earlier this year and was published last September 2016. The filing further shows the inventor as Li Su who is a Principal Architect for cellular software at "Apple".
"Dual-SIM smartphones" have a great demand in Asian counties, especially India and China. Dual-SIM functionality allows users to continue using two connections on one smartphone; one for calling and the other for mobile data services.
"The penetration of dual-SIM smartphones is one of the highest in the world, 90 percent by installed base. During Q2 2016, 93 percent of the total smartphones sold were dual-SIMs. The trend is driven by large prepaid user base in India along with one of the cheapest data plans in the world. Users often avail services of multiple operators to benefit from differential data pricing of the Telco's," as stated by Tarun Pathak an android phone analyst.
At this moment, it isn't clear whether Apple will launch a dual-SIM enabled iPhone in the future. It's also worth mentioning that Apple sometimes takes patent for functionality and never uses it on devices. We will have to wait to see whether Apple is indeed considering a "Dual-SIM iPhone" for future.
